In memory of John Lewis

07 January 2013

We note with sadness the death of John Lewis, a teacher, examiner and curriculum expert, who was an influential figure in the Nuffield Science Teaching Project in the 1960s and 70s.

It was while he was a physics teacher at Malvern College and a leading member of the Science Master’s Association that John Lewis met Leslie Farrer-Brown, the Foundation’s Director. John Lewis told Farrer-Brown about his experiences of visiting the Soviet Union, where he had been impressed by science teaching that was supported by a wealth of centrally produced resources.

Farrer-Brown invited Lewis to talk about his experiences at a meeting convened by the Foundation and attended by government ministers and other key figures in science and education. From this meeting, Farrer-Brown developed a proposal for the Science Teaching Project, which sought to modernise science education for all 5- to 18-year-olds. John Lewis was an Associate Organiser of the Science Teaching Project, and later a member of the Consultative Committee for Nuffield Advanced Physics.

John Lewis died on 11 October 2012 aged 89. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, two sons, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.